Elf on Shelf Alternatives?

[CrebillionFils]

I find elves creepy (I blame some 80’s Christmas films for that), and want to find an alternative for my family. My daughter is only one, but I love the holidays and want to start my own traditions.

For all those who might say I’m being ott when my daughter’s only one, my Christmases as a child were stressful ferried between divorced parents (though they both threw a marvellous Christmas Day, I just couldn’t relax knowing I’d have to then get in a car and go to the next one) and one parent died when I was kid, so I want the most cosy The Holiday style Christmases for my dc.

Those who love Christmas please shower me with ideas! 🧑‍🎄

We didn't do the elf thing. Today I saw some lovely pink fairies (perhaps they are meant to be angels?) whilst in TKMaxx. Maybe you could start a Nice Fairy tradition with your little one when she's a bit bigger - you have time to plan because for the next few years she won't have a clue but will find the tree lights fascinating!

We have plush elf’s, Lidl and Homebargins have cute ones. I’ve also always found the Elf on a shelf creepy but my oldest DD ended up buying herself one anyway so I’m stuck with it 365 days a year!

ours have also never been naughty as such, do cheeky age related things.

We started with one, then DD 2 wanted her own so we ended up with getting the 3rd one. Now we have a house full but my DDs love them (so do I) Only the original Elf’s do tricks. They also bring gifts through out December, Advent Calendars on the 1st then they will bring little Christmas themed gifts like scrunchies, fluffy socks.

If you didn’t want to do the Elf but wanted a Christmas transition that’s similar maybe find a cute Christmas themed soft toy that hides in the house in December and when it’s found it has a small treat, like a chocolate or something Christmassy. Or it could just turn up occasionally. When I was little my Dad use to hide things that would just randomly turn up, like a toy on top of a door, he’d do it all year, it wasn’t Christmas specific but we loved it.

I had never planned to do the elf but when your child comes to you asking why they don’t have it when everyone else does, you’d have to be pretty mean!